Book-loving Farmington mom gets Little Free Library

Sandi Koponen loves books, so much so that family vacations often include a library visit.

So when last Christmas rolled around, her husband, Steve, and children Mirabella, 13, and Vitaliy, 12, came up with a unique gift: a Little Free Library. On July 10, the family cut a ribbon that officially opened Media on Mayfield.

“We got an email from Dad giving us the idea, then we took it upon ourselves to build it,” Mirabella explained to neighbors who attended the opening.

The Koponen family, with friends and neighbors, celebrate the opening of their Little Free Library.

Serbian exchange student Sava, who spent the last school year with the family, also helped refurbish the small house that had served as the card box at the Koponens’ wedding 15 years ago.

The little library sits atop an old railroad tie and is already filled with books. At the opening celebration, the Koponens had even more books sitting out for visitors to take.

Sandi, who works in the children’s department at the Farmington Community Library Farmington branch, said she isn’t exactly sure how she’ll manage her library.

Young visitors to Media on Mayfield leave behind some books.

“They have a Facebook group, and it’s crazy how everybody’s is different,” she said. “Some people mark their books with stickers. We’re still figuring that out. I’m just going to fill it and watch how things go.”

Visitors can check into Media on Mayfield, located on the west side of Mayfield and south of Slocum, using a smartphone. Steve created a scannable QR code that serves as a guest book.

The Little Free Library website map shows five in Farmington and Farmington Hills, although others have been installed around the community by Farmington/Farmington Hills Junior Optimists. To learn more, visit littlefreelibrary.org